About Us - Biographies
Alison John
Ally John is a qualified Youth and Community worker and she holds a certificate in Training from Goldsmith University London. Ally ran a community centre for ten years, working with children aged 3 – 16.
Later she became Director of a National Voluntary organisation, promoting inclusion for young Disabled People into their local youth settings.
Ally is an experienced Consultant and Disability Equality Trainer in the field of play, early years and inclusion. Alison has personal experience of living in what she calls a “disabling world”.
She now works through Alison John & Associates as a consultant and trainer to bring an inclusive world ever nearer. She is an inspirational speaker, her presentations are memorable and create a lasting impression on a wide variety of audiences.
Di Murray
Di Murray has worked in play and playwork training for over 20 years. She is a partner in Playworks.uk, a training and consultancy organisation. Di has worked to develop and produce a number of playwork training courses which are qualificatory and which contribute to the Playwork National Occupational Standards.
Di delivers training both in the UK and overseas from entry level through to Higher Education. Her work is soundly based in the Social Model of Disability and on the right of all children and young people to have access to play opportunities. Her training is interactive, participative and definitely fun!'
Maurice Hines
Maurice began as a playworker 24 years ago. He worked within a voluntary sector organization for over 10 years promoting, developing, facilitating and managing inclusive play and leisure opportunities for children and young people. During this time he began to facilitate workshops and training courses on aspects of inclusive practice and advocating the social model of disability.
Now a qualified tutor and NVQ assessor, Maurice facilitates training sessions, courses and workshops nationally and internationally. Maurice also works part time within the voluntary sector children’s services in a London Borough, facilitating the development of inclusive practice in out of school settings.
Kay O’Brien
Kay has a BA in Performing Arts and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Greenwich University. For 7 years, she worked for the Markfield Project, pioneering their inclusive play schemes, eventually serving as the Project’s deputy director.
Throughout her career, Kay has been passing on her experience and knowledge of good practice through a variety of training, delivered on behalf of The Markfield Project, Kids (formerly Kidsactive) and AJA. She is co-writer of ‘Planning Inclusive Play’ (PIP), a Level Three fully endorsed course developed by for Kids in partnership with the DfEE. Kay specialises in offering inspirational courses on team work, inclusive play development and promoting positive behaviour.
In 2001 Kay established, in partnership, an Inclusive Playwork training company and currently trains extensively throughout the UK, Europe, and recently, the Middle East. Her versatile and engaging training techniques and ability to deliver keynote speeches based on a wealth of practical experience make her a valuable part of any AJA event.
Janet Marshall
Janet is a qualified Disability Equality trainer and has been delivering training for 15 years. Janet works with user led organisations as well as delivering Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) training for AJA. The focus of her work is to eliminate discrimination through her work with public and private businesses as well as the voluntary sector.
Since the implementation of the (DDA) and more recently the new Public Sector Duty, Janet has been working to enable both Employers and Service Providers to understand their responsibilities and to be able to provide equal services to all. Training with Janet is an experience that you would not want to miss!!
Gillian Lamey
Gillian Lamey has been working with children since 1976. Originally a childminder, she went on to qualify as a playworker and early years practitioner.
Jacqui Byland
Jacqui Byland has 26 years experience in the field of play work, childcare, disability and inclusion. She has 20 years experience of training with Local Authorities and organisations such as Kids & Training 4 Kidz Play. Jacqui is a qualified adult teacher and has her D32 & D33 in Playwork.
Jacqui continues to strive to work within the social model of disability and is currently completing a BSL level 2. Using her personal experience, understanding and enthusiasm she will assist trainees to develop knowledge and skills appropriate to inclusion and play/childcare.